D Vader

Yip, also had this before, several places on the Spruit where lines are low overhead give this effect on my carbon bike. I usually ride standing with legs bowed to prevent this going under the lines.

The GENTLEMAN who gave me his spare tube after I cut my spare ( cut sidewall on tyre). I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR KINDNESS!! I couldn't remember your name ( couldn't remember my own at that stage). This was on the rocky descent before the monster climb, you know who you are. Thanks so much. I will pay it forward.

1st, I do not recommend getting into the situation where you feel it is needed, Self-defense. but yes I have used it. Full taxi, rush-hour, Witkoppen rd, he came after me with a tyre-iron, I ran away, he threw it and missed, I chased him around the taxi, and then nailed him through the open window, emptied the taxi. Best not to get into this situation AT ALL. I thought he was getting a gun, and he could have, ending in real problems. I avoided that route for a while.

I'll also be there from 18/12, sounds great.

Have KCNC, ( several) Used in the roughest condition, no problem, light, inexpensive. If you break these you were really unlucky or you are sitting on your arse whay too long in very rough stuff,I often see the duellie guys do this. flamesuite on.

Don't be such a squeemy, we all know you have a weeny. Also don't be a meany, your buttcrack is not lekker, even as seen in dik pantwearers.

Just replaced my 2012 XT brakes( two sets of the rear cylinder has leaked fluid onto the pads and disk, anyone else have this issue?) with Formula R1 race, very happy with the power/weight ratio.

I like the look, and it probably weighs 2/3 of the Singular set-up, which is a big dif. IMHO. I think I saw it at Leeuwees' , why not ask them for a testride. PS I'd turn the bars around. There is this general FASHION idea that a SS should be heavy, steel and sliding dropout, not that those are not great, but this is often from folk who have not tried a very light carbon SS.

In theory , you should probably go longer, to compensate for the greater torque required to rotate a bigger wheel, but this can be addressed by gearing a bit lighter, so, stay with what you have.

Arrived early, waited for registration, used the bad loos, rain started in earnest, got back in car and went home. Soo glad i made that call. Lesson: listen to your gut ( especially when toilets are not good)

The Am rims are very soft, I am going to replace my AM race rims ( they have many dents from rocks impacting side-on) with crest rims as they are only 30grams heavier per rim and sturdier in my experience. I can understand wanting to replace the white rims , a totally illogical colour for anything on a mtb.

I did it this year, and went out way too fast, as usual , bonked at 50km, but managed to recover after 80km, and finished just over 6:30, on rigid SS. I would take a lighter gear than the 32x18 I had, had to walk a lot to recover. We had good weather and the waterpoints were great. 1x9 and front suspension would be lekker. Great event. Ride lots and train for some portage.

I just find it so strange that so many people really care about this whole Lance issue,. Is there a desperate need to have some sort of hero, and that has now resulted in this huge dissappointment with all the related emotions to follow?? Lance is just another oke, he seemed to have cheated, like everyone else at the time, he just had a better cover-up plan etc. WHY THE BIG EMOTIONAL ISSUE? WGAF?

RR snakeskin 2.25 or 2.35 ( not snakeskin), good volume, reasonable grip ( better than Ikon which I use on backwheel) lasts about 6000km on front. And new 2012 2.25 snakeskin only weighs 605gr. No real downside IMHO

AM rims and Schwalbe tyres are a problem. I've had the same issue. Get Bontrager rimstrips, black plastic insert, which fills up the rim inner volume, used in place of rimtape ( they are also great as you can just re-use them so trailside repairs to eg spokes can be done). the tyre should be straightened out 1st. Strips weigh about 40g each. It will sit alot more tightly with these strips in and it will seat with a standard floorpump.

Maybe I tested it down a mineshaft but it really feels fine

1x9 already feels like a huge sloppy indulgence, 34 front ring with 11-32, gives me about 50km/h topspeed and what feels like an easy granny gear after SS, so 1x11 with a range of 10-42 should be enough for any situation ( what are the cruising speeds on marathon races? surely not really over 60km/h) and you should be able to sustain a climb of over 10% ave. with short bits over 20% on this 1x11. I think most guys are overgeared, at this price and spec level the more serious rider should really easily manage with this range. I love the new derailleur design, no chainslap, and a good gripshift gives easy whole-cassette shifting for when the trail suddenly goes up. My 2 c

The L-Glutamine is more essential than the other things you are taking, and will probably give more benefits than those. Take 10grams a day, when racing and 5 grams a day as maintenance. It is not just for your muscles, also important for intestinal absorption and energy source for the brain.

I had the same problem on DS, lower back pain went away when switched to hardtail. It seems on the DS that your lowerback has to be stabilised as it is the fulcrum around which you pedal, there needs to be a relatively stable point from which your legs can push, this 'fulcrum' moves slightly more on a DS, so your lowerback has to try to stabilize this for your legs. On a hardtail, your seat does not move ( much) and thus your legs can 'grip' the saddle as a stable point. A strong core will go a long way to negating this problem. The rest of your setup obviously needs to be correct also. SS improved my back even further, as the need to stand more, improved my gluteal muscles, and these balanced my previous overuse of quads.

Have you seen the weather forecast for the area for Friday and Saturday? , 50% chance of rain, hope it doesn't spoil the party.

Great event!! Well organised, fantastic course. Timekeepers were very friendly and helpful. All went well untill late afternoon when the 'rave' music started, way too loud!, drove me bats..t. Thanks, I'll be there again.

Ja, maar my gat het maar n goeie stamp nodig , dis al wat ek nou het, so, dit sal maar moet werk.

RR snakeskin 2.25 front and Ikon 2.2 back. I get about 2500km out of the Ikon, and 6000 on th RR front . The 2012 RR is a much better tyre than before and I can't see any reason not to use it. Very heavy Suguaro and crossmarks are just terrible , once you've tried the new RR. Ride carefully and get up on the rough stuff. I'll be at the Pioneer also, going to be great fun ( SS rigid)

I know several people ( friends) who are under 1.6m tall and love their 29ers ( actually two are on medium frames with no problems), just test ride, IMHO big wheels work very well for shorter people. I know Momsen are bringing out small and extra small 29ers, although I doubt she would need less than a small.

Very NICE. Congrats.!!